I've run a few basic searches in the archives, but haven't found the information I'm looking for condensed into one string.

We had an elderly Class C, 26' until 3 seasons ago when we decided to dump it because it didn't match our needs. We've been outside the circle since the, though I've looked on this forum pretty much every day.

We're hoping to get back into the RV lifestyle either late this season or over the winter, so we're ready for Spring 2010.

We're looking at short Class A rigs (29 to 32 ft). DW is leery of anything bigger, and even though I learned to drive 40'transit coaches at age 66, withoiut any major problems, she's not willing to try it. I don't want to get into the situation where, if I'm sidelined for whatever reason, she can't get us home.

I've been reading the various posts on the older Workhorse P30 and the equivalent Ford, and I'm a bit leery of those, mainly because of the problems with brake systems on the P30 and with overall weight and weight distribution on both of them.

Is there, somewhwere in the archives, that I haven't been able to find, a treatise on the problems with the Workhorse P30 and whatever preceded the Ford F53?

I'd really like to find a mid to late 90's, 30' to 32' DP for somewhere in the low $20K range, but I'm not holding my breath. I missed a nice Beaver Charleston 31' a few months back because the seller was asking 2.5x NADA. He managed to sell it, but I don't know what the final price was. I offered 0.9x retail NADA, but was laughed off the lot.

Because DW is fairly small and we have frequent visitors with limited mobility, we can't consider a full-size 4x4 truck, or even a 2wd one as a daily driver. We run a Kia Sedona as our only car and don't find any TT's within our 3500 lb tow limit that we could live with.

Since we aren't agile enough and too claustrophobic to use the over-cab bed in a Class C (based on experience with one), we're not interested in going that way.

We really want to get back into the RV life, but we're stymied by the lack of options that fit our restrictions.

Frank, a DP in the 30 foot range would be too short to ride well. A DP should be at least 35 ft. There are several DPs in that size range from the mid to late 90's, and they should run in the low 20K range. A sample in excellent condition will probably be more expensive.

Keep looking. Check PPL in Texas for sold prices to get an idea of what coaches should cost.

You might have to "settle", at some point, and rethink your choice of a Class A. A short Class A motorhome is ...well a Class C! Look at some of the Class C's that have a rear bedroom, and the cabover bed can be for the visitor or grandkids, or even used for storage or a entertainment system. And a Class C would not damage your budget initally or as the years go by. And your DW would be comfortable driving one, I assume!

Try to find an original owner RV, as you will have a better idea of how it was maintained, and how much they cared for it. Altho the Lazy Daze brand of Class C motorhomes keep their value extremely well, which reflects in their higher used prices, you might consider looking at them. No slideout means lower weight overall, and a lower height RV. Often called the "sports car" of Class C RV's! And they are legendary on longevity and qualit. Wish you the best of luck!

My posts shouldn't be taken for factual data, and are purely fictional, for entertainment purposes, should not be constituted as related to scientific, technical, engineering, legal, religious, spiritual, or practical advice. After all it's FREE! Amen. ">

In the length range you're looking, it's going to likely be gas. That being said, get at least a 2000 model year CHASSIS or newer with the V10 Ford or 8.1 Workhorse engines. You will have both better handling (wider wheel treads) and better engines.

If you can move all the way up to a 2006 gas chassis, they will be even better.

Fishinghat wrote:Frank, a DP in the 30 foot range would be too short to ride well. A DP should be at least 35 ft. There are several DPs in that size range from the mid to late 90's, and they should run in the low 20K range. A sample in excellent condition will probably be more expensive.

Keep looking. Check PPL in Texas for sold prices to get an idea of what coaches should cost.

Oh, I don't know about that! My Dolphin 32D gets in and out of small sites like you find in the State Parks quite nicely. I have never had a single complaint about a harsh ride and it is not even on air bags.

A 30/32' (to short of wheel base) DP with leaf springs will keep white-knuckle driving most of the time.

I had a DP with leaf springs NEVER again. Also air over hyd. brakes would never happen again.
As posted above 35/36' with air ride and full air-brakes should be okay, 38' with a long wheel base would be better yet.

P 30 chassis would probably be fine in an under 30' length. That short of a coach, the chassis is not overloaded. My parents second RV was a 27' on a P30 and handled just fine, even in high winds. Where you run into problems is when the chassis is overloaded and too long. In contrast, I drove a 35' Airstream that handled like crap. Too much motorhome for the P 30 chassis.

My point of reference is my motorhome is 31', and is the best handling coach ever made. From that point of reference, I have driven a 36' Foretravel DP which drives so well, I didn't notice the larger size or length. The sharp wheel cut made it very maneuverable. In contrast, I have driven my parents 34' on a W22 chassis, and it is very cumbersome and the length is very noticeable. The point is length is not as important as drivability. Test drive a 36' FT and prove it to yourself. Don't trick yourself into an arbitrary number on length. Each chassis is different.

Wheelbase will let you know how they may handle without a test drive. We have a 1992 P30 chassis when new was taken from 190" to 208" WB and at 32' it drives and handles super. I am sure that 18" makes huge difference. The less overhang the better.

Frank...Go back and look at the Class C's in the year you want. All of them had rear bedrooms. We had a 1991 Fleetwood Jamboree 27' with a queen island bed in the rear. It had the overhead bed up front, but they also sold a model that converted the front bed area into cabinet space and entertainment center instead of the bed.